Trying to find a really great recording of Cooley's Reel for my wife who is learning fiddle. I found something by Bothy Band which is of course top notch, but I'd like something with a sparser arrangement. And I did notice that on YouTube most of the videos have a very playing different style for reels than what I learned a couple of decades ago in a land far away...

I don't know if it's just a newer style, faster, more aggressive, staccato, or if it's a difference in style between the Island and the diaspora (I've never been in Ireland but I had the privilege of learning from recordings and even live teachers who were from the tradition. I once got an informal lesson from John McSherry in the lobby of a concert hall in exchange for some B&Hs!). But I prefer reels that give me the feeling of water running over river stones, tumbling over itself, splashing and eddying in a fluid monologue.

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, she needs a professional recording. I used to play it with Maid Behind the Bar, I think.

#IrishTrad #IrishMusic